The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49159

Jane Suen, DrPH, Med Sohani, MS, and Pomeroy Sinnock, PhD. PHPPO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-2463, jxs8@cdc.gov

This session will report the findings of a national assessment of core function-related practice performance. Using a set of 20 consensus indicators used for assessing community-level public health capacity, we examined average performance levels overall and for each of the three core public health functions (6 Assessment questions, 6 Policy Development questions, and 8 Assurance questions) by state. Available performance scores by local public health jurisdiction were also compiled.

Respondents in each jurisdiction completed the survey with a “Yes” or “No” response. The scoring methodology developed is as follows: For questions 1-19 the “Yes” response was scored as “1" and the “No” response” as “2". For question 20, the “Yes” response was scored as “2" and the “No” response as “1". The average score for overall performance was calculated by dividing the number of “Yes" responses in all measures by the total number of measures. For core function-related measures, we divided the number of “Yes" responses by the total number of measures in each core function.

A national sample of 50 states and their jurisdictions and four territories were queried on the 20 practice measures. Our analysis shows levels of performance scores assessing overall capacity and the three core functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance for local public health practice. Our preliminary data from 1308 responding local jurisdictions in 35 states indicate average overall capacity score of 67.96%. The average scores for assessment, policy development, and assurance were, respectively, 68.9%, 72.13%, and 62.87%. Final analysis on all self-reporting respondent jurisdiction scores will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to
• relate the assessment of public health performance to results of survey;
• discuss the core function-related practice performance measures for local public health practice; and
• identify areas for capacity building.

Keywords: Core Functions, Performance Measures

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Handout (.ppt format, 363.0 kb)